Lady Fortescue Steps Out: The Poor Relation, Book 1

Life is not easy for the poor relations of England’s upper crust, but fate and clever schemes bring them together. Lady Fortescue and Colonel Sandhurst hatch a plan: What if they were to transform her decrepit Bond Street home into a posh hotel, offering their guests the pleasure of being waited upon by nobility? With the help of other down-and-out aristocrats, they do just that, and London’s newest hotel, The Poor Relation, is born. The establishment is an immediate hit with London’s most illustrious citizens, save the Duke of Rowcester....

Charming Regency Fun - Romance & Adventure

Set in Regency London it has the trials and tribulations of a group of high and upper class impoverished aristocrats who band together to open a hotel..Show More ». Some of the characters are oddly appealing, some (Sir Philip) is oddly appalling. There is a romance, but a great deal of time is spent on the other characters, such as the marvellous septuagenarian Lady Fortescue.

On the surface frothy fun, but serious issues often simmer to the top, such as the fate of unmarried impoverished women, or the scenes at Newgate.

This is a Marion Chesney Story (I had to google to see who this MC Beaton was). Good clean fun. If you like Georgette Heyer you will enjoy this book which again shows close attention to historical detail (without it intruding in the flow of the novel)

Miss Tonks Turns to Crime: The Poor Relation, Book 2

The poor relations, those genteel paupers of society who live on little more than their dignity, have banded together and started The Poor Relation hotel, hoping to be bought out by their embarrassed relations - but as the hotel prospered, they began to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Now once more they are in need of funds. To stoop to crime in their days of poverty was one thing, but to turn to it again when they have enjoyed a certain amount of success is quite another. But they all agree: the hotel must go on.

More Regency Fun! Miss Tonks Saves the Day!

This is the second in a series (would recommend finding "Lady Fortescue Steps Out", which is Book 1) about the fiscally challenged aristocrats who ha..Show More »ve started a genteel hotel.

Once again finding themselves insolvent, they encourage the very timid Miss Tonks sets out to steal from her scheming, grasping sister.

A thoroughly enjoyable innocuous novel, with some moments of high humour. Definitely will appeal to fans of Regency romances. This is as well researched as Georgette Heyer (although a lighter on substance), with details such as the quandary one experiences with a full chamber pot early in the evening.

It is a cozy, comfort read. Readers might recognise the author under her other pen-name "Marion Chesney".

Mrs. Budley Falls from Grace: The Poor Relation, Book 3

Eliza Budley is a beautiful widow whose husband gambled away his fortune. Lady Fortescue reminds the others that, to be fair, Mrs. Budley has no relatives on whom she can call. Gentle Mrs. Budley thinks she has escaped her fate until Sir Philip comes up with a plan: He has heard that the elderly Marquess of Peterhouse is senile, a widower, extremely rich, and unlikely to remember whether Mrs. Budley is a relative or not. So off Mrs. Budley goes. But the marquess turns out to be not so old, hardly senile, and, in fact, quite handsome.

good series, but predictable

MC Beaton seriously lacks imagination, Mrs Budley nothing else than all the other folks that join the poor relation. It is a poor relation imaginary b..Show More »ook.

Sir Philip's Folly: The Poor Relation, Book 4

Just when everything at the Poor Relation Hotel seems to be running smoothly, Sir Philip brings in another poor relation, Mrs. Budge. When Sir Philip presents his paramour, Lady Fortescue swears great oaths and says the woman is probably related to half the costermongers in London and certainly does not possess one rich relative. Mrs. Budge does nothing but eat all day and refused to do any work around the hotel. Worst of all, Miss Tonks seems to be taking the romance between Sir Philip and Mrs. Budge quite hard.

Another worthy read in this marvelous series

You will finally get to know Sir Folly - not as heartless as he seems to be yet, yet a very very clever, unpredictable man. Wonderful if you can get t..Show More »he book on sale - if not - it is worth a credit.

Colonel Sandhurst to the Rescue: The Poor Relation, Book 5

Owing to an unfortunate wager made by Sir Philip, the poor relations are once again scrounging around for a plan for solvency. This time it is Colonel Sandhurst to the rescue. After happening on Sir Randolph’s lovely daughter Frederica, who is running away to escape an awful marriage to Lord Bewley, the Colonel devises a plan to force Sir Randolph to settle his bill for six month’s stay and to save Frederica from her fate. The clever plan is thwarted when Lord Bewley shows up at the drop point instead of Sir Randolph.

Loving this series

I have now read the fifth book out of the 6-part series and am looking forward to the 6th with mixed emotions. On one hand I look forward to finding o..Show More »ut how Ms Beaton ends the series, however sad that now this run is over. I recommend these books to someone who enjoys light regency romantic stories, with a sense of humour. These are well-written with interesting historic details and a flavour of what it might be like to have lived in those times. The narrator is out-standing.

Back in Society: A Regency Romance: The Poor Relation, Book 6

Life is finally looking up for the poor relations. The Prince of Wales’ coat of arms gleams over the hotel entrance. All but one of the rooms are filled by the open-handed Prince Hugo and his entourage. They have finally reached a position comfortable enough to allow them to consider offers to buy the hotel. The poor relations’ hard-earned success, however, is in stark contrast to the plight of their latest guest, Lady Jane Fremney. The slight, beautiful youngest daughter of the Earl of Durby has been cast out of her family for refusing to marry the man her father has chosen.

All is well that ends well

I truly enjoyed the series. This one just sums it all up and puts a bow on the package. I loved the series in audio form as Davina Porter does a won..Show More »derful job. You will get to know the characters so much better thanks to her personal touch.